National Council Licensure Examination

National Council Licensure Examination Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) Practice Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is prescribed

furosemide. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?

• Sodium
• Potassium
• Calcium
• Magnesium

Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause potassium loss,

leading to hypokalemia. Monitoring potassium prevents cardiac complications.

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• The nurse is reinforcing teaching for a client with diabetes mellitus about

foot care. Which instruction is appropriate?

• Soak feet daily in hot water
• Inspect feet daily for cuts or blisters
• Cut toenails close to the skin
• Apply lotion between the toes

Rationale: Daily inspection prevents infection and early detection of injury.

Soaking or applying lotion between toes increases infection risk.

• A client with COPD is receiving oxygen at 4 L/min via nasal cannula. The

nurse notes increasing drowsiness. What action should the nurse take first?

• Lower the oxygen flow rate
• Notify the healthcare provider
• Obtain a pulse oximetry reading
• Encourage coughing and deep breathing

Rationale: High oxygen flow can suppress respiratory drive in COPD clients;

reducing the rate helps restore hypoxic stimulus.

• A nurse is reinforcing teaching about warfarin. Which food should the

client avoid in large quantities?

• Bananas
• Apples
• Oranges 2 / 4

• Spinach

Rationale: Spinach contains vitamin K, which interferes with warfarin

effectiveness, leading to reduced anticoagulation.

• A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube for gastric

decompression. Which finding requires immediate intervention?

• Greenish drainage
• Occasional coughing
• Absent bowel sounds and firm abdomen
• Small air bubbles in tubing

Rationale: Absent bowel sounds and firm abdomen may indicate

obstruction or perforation, which require prompt assessment.

• A client receiving IV potassium reports burning at the IV site. What is the

nurse’s best action?

• Stop the infusion and assess the site
• Apply warm compress
• Slow the infusion rate
• Continue as prescribed

Rationale: Burning may indicate infiltration or phlebitis; the infusion

should be stopped and the site assessed to prevent tissue damage.

• / 4

• Which client should the nurse see first?
• Client with blood glucose of 200 mg/dL
• Client with potassium of 2.9 mEq/L
• Client with sodium of 148 mEq/L
• Client with hemoglobin of 10 g/dL

Rationale: Hypokalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias

and requires immediate attention.

• A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching for a client after a

cholecystectomy. Which statement indicates understanding?

• “I can eat fried foods when I feel better.”
• “I should avoid walking for 2 weeks.”
• “I will follow a low-fat diet.”
• “I should remove the dressing daily.”

Rationale: A low-fat diet prevents irritation of the biliary system after

gallbladder removal.

• The nurse is caring for a client with anemia. Which finding supports the

diagnosis?

• Fatigue and pallor
• Hypertension
• Jaundice
• Weight gain
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